Catholic military chaplains

I finally received a packet from the Vocation’s Director of the Archdiocese for Military Services (AMS). It contained a couple brochures specific to Catholic chaplains, but mostly brochures from the Army, Air Force & Navy. I asked for the Marines, but I guess they’re considered part of the Navy. Anyways, there’s some interesting figures:

Geographically, the AMS is the largest in the Church, trans-national without borders at 220 installations in 29 countries.

To meet all those needs, they have fewer than 350 full-time Catholic military chaplains with the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines & Coast Guard.

They have 480 priests serving part-time with Reserve forces & National Guard.

The priests serving full-time are on loan from 142 dioceses and 44 religious communities.

As excited I am about the military, I also realize the needs and dynamics of serving soldiers can be extremely diferent from Miami pastoral ministry. I’d like to stay open to the possibility of a summer internship (in a theology year), but I don’t currently feel drawn into any permanent call. — I need to slow down and focus on the now.

I know this is an old post, but yes, the Marines are served by Navy Chaplains. The same can be said for the Coast Guard and in a very limited sense the U.S. Maritime Service (there are Navy Chaplains at the U.S. Merchant Marine academy in Kings Point, NY). I know that the Navy is very short on priests.

Could you please send me any free brochures/material on vocations that you might have to offer….I am doing a project for our church and would appreciate any material that you might have….Thank you…..Mary Jane Sweeney, 50 South Main Street, Alburgh, Vermont 05440

Doesn’t the Bishop of your Diocese need to release you? And if he does, for how long? I know the dioceses drop a lot of money into the seminary they sponsored you in. They just won’t let you go will they???

I'm a former Catholic seminarian (2007-09) discerning the Lord's call for my life. As I blog my discernment, I want to ask WWKD? (what would Kermit do) ... kidding aside ... "What IS the Lord doING?" and "How can I stay more aware of it everyday?" ... our journeys are too fruitful to keep to ourselves ... please share the gifts He graced you with so we can grow together growing the Kingdom, in Jesus name.

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CatholicKermit is in no way affiliated with Disney or The Jim Henson Company. The views expressed are the rants and ravings from one confused seminarian seeking direction and do not reflect the views of the Archdiocese of Miami or all Catholics (like they could all agree on anything). lol